Coverage of the Portland Sea Dogs and Red Sox Organization

April 2013

After a rainout last night, the Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils open up a three-game series at First Energy Stadium…Last night was Portland’s third postponement this season…Monday’s game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the ‘Dogs return to Reading in June.

Guess it’s good I had trouble sleeping last night…I reached for my phone around 4:30 and checked Twitter, it’s something I do when I can’t sleep. I saw tweets from Buster Olney about the A’s and Angels game. I pulled it up on my phone and saw Moss’s homer…Ironically, former Sea Dog Jed Lowrie was at first.

The Sea Dogs went on to beat the Akron Aeros in five games to capture their first ever E.L. Championship, but that moment in the N.D.C.S. was still my favorite moment. We all knew Moss was a special player. He had big hits in big spots, a formula that some players just shine in. I’m so happy he found a spot in Oakland with former Sea Dogs: Josh Reddick and Jed Lowrie.

From my Game Notes on September 12, 2006 (Game was September 9th)

Game 4 Rundown of the NDCS: Brandon Moss launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Sea Dogs to a 4-3 victory over the Trenton Thunder to win the Northern Division Championship Series, 3 games to 1. Moss threw out J.T. Stotts at the plate, the potential go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, keeping the game tied at three. Portland trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning but Luis Jimenez tied the game with a two-out RBI double down the left-field line, scoring pinch-runner Matt Van Der Bosch. Trenton took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, scoring three runs off Frank Brooks following a 90-minute rain delay. Brooks allowed just those runs in six innings on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Barry Hertzler worked two scoreless innings to earn his first post-season win. Scott Patterson worked an inning and 2/3 to suffer the loss. Brian Myrow had two hits, including his second post-season home run and an RBI double.

PART TWO OF THE TRIP: After taking two of three from the Trenton Thunder, the Sea Dogs resume their roadtrip on Tuesday night at First Energy Stadium against the Reading Fight Phils…Portland dropped two of three to the Phils on April 8-10 at Hadlock Field…At 13-9, the ‘Dogs have the best record in the Eastern League, and hold a one-game lead over Reading for the top spot in the Eastern Division…The Sea Dogs have won all three road series this season, last year, they didn’t win their third road series until the middle of May.

CLUTCH ALL AWAY AROUND: The Sea Dogs erased two early deficits, to beat the Trenton Thunder 9-5 on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park…Michael Almanzar snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-run homer in the fifth, off losing pitcher Francisco Rondon…Drake Britton (2-2) retired the final 11 batters faced, to earn the win for Portland…Britton gave up four runs on six hits, two walks and a season-high, seven strikeouts…Shannon Wilkerson tied the game at four with a two-run double…Ryan Dent and Matt Spring each had 2 RBI for the ‘Dogs…Portland’s five stolen bases all scored.

THAT’S A CAREER DAY FOR A CATCHER: Christian Vazquez stole two bases on Sunday, his first multi-stolen base game of his career…Vazquez went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 10 of 11 games: 13-for-37 (.351).

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 21 games for the season and 22 dating back to 2012…Shaw went 2-for-5 on Sunday with two singles and leads the Eastern League with 22 walks…Trenton’s Kyle Roller currently has the best on-base streak this season at 22 games…Heiker Meneses has reached base safely in 18 straight road games, dating back to May 14, 2012.

CAME TO AN END: The Sea Dogs lead the league with 10 triples, but did not have one on Sunday, snapping a six-game streak with at least one triple…Xander Bogaerts leads the team with three triples, which is tied for the top spot in the E.L.

IT HAD BEEN A WHILE: Portland’s series win in Trenton was their first since April 22-25, 2010, when they took three of four…The Sea Dogs are looking to go four games over .500 for the first time since June 20, 2010, when they were 36-32…Portland has won seven of their last nine.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Reading continue their three-game series tomorrow morning at 11:35 AM, and will also start at 11:35 AM on Wednesday…Portland returns home on Friday, May 3rd, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate).

Number of games Xander Bogaerts will play this series…No worries, Xander was away at his sister’s wedding.

Ranaudo’s 0.83 ERA is second in the Eastern League.

Rosario’s addition makes it three catchers on the roster

Number of at-bats for Matt Spring in his first start of the season on Saturday…Spring went 1-for-4.

Britton was the Opening Day starter and his making his 5th start of the season

Portland has a triple in six straight games.

THAT WOULD BE A RUBBER GAME: Portland and Trenton play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J…Last night was Portland’s second shutout of the season – both have been on the road (April 17th at Binghamton)…The Sea Dogs are a ½ game behind the Erie SeaWolves for the best record in the Eastern League…After today’s contest, the two teams don’t meet until June 21-23, a three-game series in Trenton.

Shannon Wilkerson had a 3-run triple on Saturday…Portland leads the league with 10 triples and has one in six straight games. (photo by Sitting Still Photography).

NOW THAT’S PITCHING: Righty Anthony Ranaudo (3-0) tossed six scoreless frames, allowing just two hits and fanning a career-high nine batters, leading the Sea Dogs to a 6-0 win over the Thunder on Saturday night…Ranaudo, who was pitching in his home state, earned his third straight win…Portland scored twice in the second and added three runs in the fourth inning on Shannon Wilkerson’s bases-clearing triple…Derrik Gibson went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks…Right-hander Zach Nuding (0-3) took the loss for Trenton, surrendering five runs (four earned) over six innings pitched.

MAYBE THE NAME CHANGE WILL HELP: Arm & Hammer Park, formally known as Waterfront Park in Trenton, has not been kind to Portland…The ‘Dogs have dropped 17 of their last 23 games against the Thunder in New Jersey…Portland won the season series in 2010, taking four of seven.

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 20 games, by going 1-for-4 with a double on Saturday…Shaw’s on-base streak is currently the longest in the league, and tied with Altoona’s Andrew Lambo for the longest on-base streak in the Eastern League this season.

ANOTHER ONE?: The Sea Dogs lead the league with 10 triples, but has nine in the last six games…Xander Bogaerts has a triple in three straight games…Heiker Meneses, Tony Thomas and Wilkerson each have two triples on the season.

HIGH FIVE:Portland had a reliever strikeout five batters in consecutive games (Last Wednesday and Friday)…In the series opener, Keith Couch fanned a season-high 5 over 2.1 innings…Ruiz struck out five on Wednesday against Binghamton…Chris Martin has a team-high 14.1 scoreless inning streak to start the season.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Tomorrow, the Sea Dogs open up a four-game series in Reading, PA against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…The final two games of the roadtrip begin at 11:35 AM…Portland returns home on Friday, May 3rd, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate).

HOMECOMING: Jackson, New Jersey native Anthony Ranaudo,makes his fourth start of the season for the Sea Dogs in game two of the series on Saturday night…Ranaudo attended St. Rose High School, just 42 miles from Arm & Hammer Park…Portland has dropped two straight, and has not lost consecutive road contests this season…RHP Zach Nuding, who allowed seven unearned runs at Hadlock Field on April 5th, makes his fifth start of the season for the Thunder.

DECIDED EARLY: Trenton scored all six runs off Matt Barnes (1-1) in 4.2 innings, taking the series opener, 6-3 on Friday night at Arm & Hammer Park…Tony Thomas drove in all three runs for Portland, going 2-for-4…Thomas delivered an RBI double in the first and a two-run triple in the fifth…J.R. Murphy led the Thunder with three hits and Kyle Roller nailed a two-run double in the third…Nik Turley (2-1) earned the win for the Thunder, working five innings on six hits and three runs…Jose Ramirez hurled four scoreless frames in his Double-A debut and earned a save.

MAYBE THE NAME CHANGE WILL HELP: Arm & Hammer Park, formally known as Waterfront Park in Trenton, has not been kind to Portland…The ‘Dogs have dropped 17 of their last 22 games against the Thunder in New Jersey…Portland won the season series in 2010, taking four of seven.

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 19 games, by going 0-for-2 with three walks (Eastern League leader with 22) on Friday…Shaw’s on-base streak is currently the longest in the league…Altoona’s Andrew Lambo had a 20-game on-base streak from April 4-24.

RAINING 3’S: The Sea Dogs and Harrisburg lead the league with nine triples…Portland has eight in the last five games…Xander Bogaerts has a triple in three straight games, Thomas has tripled in back-to-back starts.

HIGH FIVE:Portland has had a reliever strikeout five batters in consecutive games…Last night, Keith Couch fanned a season-high 5 over 2.1 innings…Ruiz struck out five on Wednesday in the series finale against Binghamton…Chris Martin extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings to start the season, working a scoreless frame last night.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Trenton (Yankees affiliate) conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM…On Monday night, the Sea Dogs open up a four-game series in Reading, PA against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…The final two games of the roadtrip begin at 11:35 AM.

HIT THE ROAD JACK: After a 5-2 homestand, the Sea Dogs open up a seven-game homestand on Friday night against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J…Portland finished 7-6 at Hadlock Field in April, their best opening-month home record since winning 7 of 12 in April of 2011…Trenton took two of three from the Sea Dogs in the opening series of the season, including a 13-5 win on Opening Day – Portland committed a season-high five errors.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: The Binghamton Mets led 8-0 after two innings and held on to beat the Sea Dogs, 8-6 in the series finale on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field…Michael Almanzar and Xander Bogaerts aided the comeback for Portland, driving in two runs apiece…Bogaerts tripled for the third straight game…Kyle Kaminska (0-3) suffered the loss, allowing 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned) over 4.2 innings pitched…Darrell Ceciliani (double) and Allan Dykstra (home run) each had 3 RBI…Portland’s bullpen duo of Miguel Celestino and Pete Ruiz closed out the game with 4.1 hitless frames.

MAYBE THE NAME CHANGE WILL HELP: Arm & Hammer Park, formally known as Waterfront Park in Trenton, has not been kind to Portland…The ‘Dogs have dropped 16 of their last 21 games against the Thunder in New Jersey…Portland won the season series in 2010, taking four of seven.

AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 18 games, by going 1-for-4 with a walk (Eastern League leader with 19) on Wednesday…Shaw’s on-base streak is currently the longest in the league…Altoona’s Andrew Lambo had a 20-game on-base streak from April 4-24.

RAINING 3’S: The Sea Dogs are second in the Eastern League with eight triples, but have seven in the last four games…Bogaerts and Heiker Meneses each had two in a game during the past homestand.

HE’S A RELIEVER?Ruiz is second on the staff with 21 strikeouts, tying a season-high with 5 on Wednesday night against Binghamton…The right-hander has 17 strikeouts in his last 6.2 IP…Brandon Workman is tops of the staff with 28 K’s…Portland is second in the league in strikeouts with 178 (Harrisburg leads with 184)

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Trenton (Yankees affiliate) continue their three-game series on Saturday night at 7:05 PM…The series concludes on Sunday at 1:05 PM…On Monday night, the ‘Dogs open up a four-game series in Reading, PA against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate).

ON A ROLL: After losing the homestand opener, the Sea Dogs seek their sixth straight win on Wednesday night against the Binghamton Mets at Hadlock Field…Since losing 17-1 last Thursday, Portland has outscored the opponent 44-19…With last night’s win, the ‘Dogs moved into sole possession of first place for the first time since May 2, 2008…Portland has their longest winning streak, since winning six straight last August 19-24…Right-hander Kyle Kaminska makes his fourth start of the year for Portland.

WILD FINISH: Heiker Meneses scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the 10th inning, as the Sea Dogs rallied back from an early 5-0 deficit to beat the Binghamton Mets 9-8…Meneses finished 3-for-5 with 3 RBI, 2 triples and a double…Christian Vazquez went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and reached base three times…Brock Huntzinger worked two scoreless frames on one hit to earn his first win of the season…Lefty Craig Breslow made the start, but lasted only four batters, allowing three hits and three runs…Michael Almanzar and J.C. Linares each drove in a run for the ‘Dogs.

WHAT’S THE RECORD?Meneses is the first Sea Dog with two triples in once game since Bryan Pritz on June 16, 2007 against the Akron Aeros at Hadlock Filed…The team record is three by Sheldon Fulse in 2004…Meneses has four straight multi-hit games: 10-for-18 (.556), 5 RBI, 2 3B, 3 2 and has hit safely in 9 of 10 games:18-for-44 (.409).

WALK THIS WAY: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 17 games by going 1-for-3 with 2 walks on Tuesday…Shaw leads the league with 18 walks.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland has a scheduled off day tomorrow, before a seven-game trip at Trenton (Yankees affiliate) and Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on May 3-8, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) and Reading.

MAJOR INFLUENCE PART 2: One night after John Lackey makes a Major League rehab assignment with Portland, Lefty Craig Breslow makes one tonight…Breslow becomes the 29th player to make a MLB rehab assignment with the Sea Dogs and the 23rd as a Red Sox affiliate…Portland has won four straight, and are three games over .500 for the first time since June 22, 2010 (36-33)…Right-hander Brandon Workman is scheduled to relieve Breslow

A MESSY WIN: The Sea Dogs took advantage of five Binghamton errors, en route to an 8-2 victory on Monday night at Hadlock Field…Portland led 5-0 after two, highlighted by Michael Almanzar’s two-run double…Lackey worked 3.2 scoreless on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts…Keith Couch (1-0) earned the win, working four innings on four hits and two runs (one earned)…Xander Bogaerts paced Portland’s offense, going 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored…J.C. Linares added two hits and a run scored…Chris Martin worked the final 1.1 innings with a walk and a strikeout.

WALK THIS WAY: 1B Travis Shaw had his hitting streak snapped at eight games on Sunday, but extended his on-base streak to 16 games with his league-leading, 16th walk of the season on Monday…Shaw’s on-base streak is the longest since Kolbrin Vitek reached base safely in 17 games from April 5-21, 2012.

TRIPLE 7? Workman has worked seven innings in both career starts against the Binghamton Mets…Tonight, the Texas native makes his first career relief appearance after 54 starts…Workman is 3-0, 3.00 ERA (6 ER/18.0 IP) in 3 starts.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The ‘Dogs and Mets conclude their three-game series tomorrow night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs took two of three from the B-Mets last week at NYSEG Stadium…Portland has a scheduled off day on Thursday, before a seven-game trip at Trenton (Yankees affiliate) and Reading Fight Phils (Phillies affiliate).

The Sea Dogs open up a three-game series on Monday night at Hadlock Field…Right-hander John Lackey will make a Major League Rehab start for Portland…Lackey becomes the 28th Major Leaguer to rehab for the Sea Dogs and the 22nd as a Red Sox affiliate.

Tweet of the Day

Josh Reddick @joshreddick16

Brandon Moss and myself headed to children’s hospital to help brighten some people’s day! Hope we help.#BostonStrong

John Lackey is currently on Boston’s 15-day disabled list with a strained right bicep.

Coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

MAKE THAT THREE: Portland scored all eight runs and had all 10 hits over three innings, defeating the New Britain Rock Cats 8-7 on Sunday afternoon…Miguel Celestino (1-0) earned the win, allowing three hits, one run and fanned three over 1.1 innings…Portland took the lead for good with two runs in the fifth and added three in the sixth…Peter Hissey and Kolbrin Vitek each drove in two runs…Michael Almanzar had two doubles and two runs scored…Heiker Meneses, Alberto Rosario and Shannon Wilkerson each had two hits for Portland.

WALK THIS WAY: 1B Travis Shaw had his hitting streak snapped at eight games on Sunday, but extended his on-base streak to 15 games with his team-leading, 15th walk of the season…Shaw’s on-base streak is the longest since Vitek reached base safely in 17 games from April 5-21, 2012.

HE WAS IN CONTROL:Brock Huntzinger walked three batters on Sunday, but managed his fourth save in as many opportunities…Huntzinger has three of his four saves at Hadlock Field.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and the Binghamton Mets continue their three-game series tomorrow night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs took two of three from the B-Mets at NYSEG Stadium last week…Portland has a scheduled off day on Thursday, before a seven-game trip at Trenton (Yankees affiliate) and Reading Fight Phils (Phillies affiliate).

ABOVE WATER: The Sea Dogs and Rock Cats (Twins affiliate) conclude their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field…Portland dropped the opener 17-1, but has scored 19 of the last 21 runs in the series…With yesterday’s win, the Sea Dogs went over .500 for the first time since they won the 2011 season opener (their best record that season)…Portland has not been two games over .500 since July 22, 2010 when they were 50-48…Opening Night starter Drake Britton,makes his second career start against B.J. Hermsen.

NOW THAT’S BETTER: Ryan Dent knocked in three runs and Anthony Ranaudo (2-0) worked 5.2 innings, leading the Sea Dogs to a 7-1 win over the New Britain Rock Cats on Saturday afternoon…Ranaudo allowed just four hits and one run – a first inning sac-fly by James Beresford…Dent put the game away with a two-run double in the sixth inning…J.C. Linares knocked in two runs for the second straight day…Michael Almanzar went 1-for-4, with the game-winning RBI in the first…Will Latimer worked 2.1 scoreless with three strikeouts and Chris Martin allowed a hit and fanned one in the ninth.

YOU LEFT ME OUT OF THE STORY: 1B Travis Shaw went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored on Saturday…Shaw extended his on-base streak to 14 games and has a team-high, eight-game hitting streak…The Ohio native leads the team in doubles (7) and walks (14).

MY FAVORITE MARTIN:Chris Martin is the reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, and has earned a win and a save in consecutive outings…The right-hander has fanned 16 batters in 12 scoreless innings.

STARTING TO HEAT UP:Xander Bogaerts has a five-game hitting streak: 10-for-20 (.500), 3 RBI and 3 doubles…The Portland shortstop has a multi-hit game in three of last five starts, and is hitting .316 at Hadlock Field.

WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland opens up a three-game series with the Binghamton Mets tomorrow night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs took two of three from the B-Mets at NYSEG Stadium last week…Portland has a scheduled off day on Thursday, before a seven-game trip at Trenton (Yankees affiliate) and Reading Fight Phils (Phillies affiliate).

Tonight the Sea Dogs celebrate their 20th season of professional baseball in the City of Portland. Portland is opening up a seven-game homestand agains the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate), and looking to go over .500 for the first time since winning the 2011 opener.

Portland conclude their six-game roadtrip on Wednesday night against the Binghamton Mets from NYSEG Stadium. With a win tonight, the ‘Dogs will take their first 2 road series for the first time since 2008. Mets beat Portland last 7-4.

The Red Sox came up with an amazing tribute in Cleveland.

It’s been tough watching all the events going on in Boston the past few days. Despite being so far away, I still feel very connected to the situation. I grew up in Ashland, Mass, the second town in the Marathon route. That day is always special for it’s symbolism to Paul Revere, and the celebration to great athletes, and of course the Red Sox. This is like living through 9/11 again, and my heart goes out to so many that are suffering through all of this.

Coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

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